Good job, Blankmind! It is frustrating to just miss out on the awards!
Can someone (MoWC and BB come to mind) give me a primer on Hokas? My daughter tried on a pair and was pleasantly surprised. The store we went to had no selection (to my chagrin) and I’d like her to try on more than one style before buying. And I’d like to get myself a pair, too.
We both have narrow feet. She’s been having problems with her knees. She tried on the Bondi and felt it was a little loose around the middle. I tried on the Constant, and did like it.
The Bondi tends to run big. I normally wear 8 1/2 in running shoes (7 1/2 in street shoes) and go with 8s in many Hoka models. I love the Bondi 4. The Clifton is a lighter Hoka and not what I would recommend if you really want the whole Hoka experience, although it’s a great shoe. I would go with Stinson Lite or the other Stinsons. One problem is that since Brown Shoe (I think it was) bought Hoka, which wasn’t a bad thing, they have introduced so many models that it is hard to keep track of what is what. I know Zappos carries some so you can order and ship back for free. RoadrunnerSports.com also has good return policy and you can join their VIP club for $1.99 or so and then look online for additional coupon codes. http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/search/search-celebros.jsp?SearchHandle=QT1Ib2thc35CPUhva2FzfkQ9MjR_RT0wXjFeMl5Qcmlvcml0eTJ_ST1Tb3J0VklQUHJpY2V_Sz00fkw9MX5NPTF_&Action=2&AnswerID=2484&from=searchBox&searchQuery=Hokas
I did not like the Conquests, but others do. I felt like they were too firm and didn’t feel like Hokas. The Kailua Tarmac is a good model.
I think Hokas are just incredible. I have about 4 different models in my rotation right now.
Tiring weekend running around town with my house guests. Fun but I’m beat. Today is rainy and I just couldn’t face an outdoor run. Was aiming for 2 on the dreadmill and managed 4.2 with some speedwork.
I’m a creature of habit. Bought my 6th pair of Adidas Adizero racing flats today. They work for me because I never go more than an hour at a time plus they feel “fast” when I’m doing track intervals. I’ve always wanted to get hokas but the two times when I was ready to buy the running store didn’t have my size.
Good news: we had last minute invitations to cookouts both yesterday and today. Bad news: the rest of the weeding still needs to be done! Oh well, I’ll get to it.
@runnersmom - hope you like the Charge HR. I ordered mine yesterday from LL Bean. It’s backordered until about June 5, but I had $90 in Bean Bucks, so only have to pay $59.95 – making it worth the wait. My friend who got one a couple weeks ago really likes hers.
Golf League tomorrow morning – 18 holes walking. I really need to go back to tracking food …
Fireandrain, I usually do a Zappos order to try on a new model of shoes because of the easy returns. I take every new pair for a short spin around the house to get a feel for the fit prior to committing to it.
My feet swell as I run, so I always look for shoes that feel a little loose when I try them on. I have Bondi 4 and Huaka in use currently. Love the Bondis! I think they are slightly narrower than my Huakas.
Snorkeling was a big bust. The water was too choppy and too bubbly to see any fish. That did not stop Mr. from finding a dead Hawaiian fish on the bottom of the lagoon! He absolutely had to share his excitement with the other swimmers. Gross!
Went to the gym and ran 4 miles on the treadmill, then used 20 lb dumbbells to work my arms. I am amazed at how well kept the gym here is - the TV screen that had a note that it was out of order yesterday was already fixed today. Many other hotels ignore the broken gym stuff for days.
Bromfield, anecdotally, some people experience relief from leg cramp symptoms using apple cider vinegar. It may have something to do with potassium levels but, again, too much acv is associated with a loss of potassium too.Here are some links for more information:
http://thehealthyeatingsite.com/remedy-for-leg-cramps/
Anecdotally, tonic water may also help. Particularly if you mix it with gin. 
MKAT:
This may be the study you are referring to. It’s test of trained cyclists on a 150 minute steady state ride followed by a max exertion test. One group fed maltodextrin, the other SuperStarch. Then, the two groups switched a week later:
http://www.generationucan.com/pdf/nutrition_Journal_Article.pdf
Basically identical performance results, but no blood sugar spike, no insulin spike, and increased fat burning (free fatty acids in the blood) for SuperStarch instead of conventional sports drink.
Cost is one reason that I use one scoop every two hours, rather than one scoop every hour. It is ridiculous. Of course, salted cashews aren’t cheap!
Also, I have found that one scoop is fine in 8 ounces of water. So I can take a 16 ounce thermos for two servings or a 24 ounce thermos for three servings.
I needed to do something when I started going on longer six or seven hour hikes. Just simple math showed that I was burning a lot of calories and needed fuel, but I reached a limit on the quantity of salted nuts I could eat. And, it’s not like pounding ounces and ounces of nuts is a super-healthy option.
Apples are great for dessert, but I’m not sold on fructose as a good fuel. It’s so short lived – just the opposite of what I really need while hiking.
I don’t really feel like eating when I’m hot and sweaty and covered in bug spray, so I was kind of at a loss. The SuperStarch shakes proved to be reasonably appetizing, easy on the stomach, and decent fuel. Plus they have a bit of electrolyte and water.
I think the stuff provides steady energy during a long hike. It feels that way up until the point where I start hurting in the hips from eccentric downhill or in the shoulders from the backpack. It could be just placebo effect. Who knows?
For severe muscle cramps, you might want to get your potassium and magnesium checked. Some BP medications and chemo drugs can deplete these. BTDT!
Nrdsb4, I hear you loud and clear about metabolic syndrome. That’s part of my story, too.
I had a PE teacher in 6th grade who gave me a F, even after I tried my best and humiliated myself in front of the entire 6th grade trying to perform gymnastic skills. It was not pretty. My homeroom teacher was horrified that the coach failed me and told him so.
duplicate msg – stupid web connection!
IDad, I don’t think you are simply experiencing a placebo effect; the Superstarch no doubt provides an energy source. I just continue to have my doubts about any sports drink because I don’t think you can drink your way into energy and electrolyte recovery during an event. In order for the stuff to be palatable, the concentrations are too low and there’s a limit to how much liquid you can take in and absorb during the activity. The last water borne product I used before I abandoned all of them was Hammer Heed. I think the Hammer products are better than most but on 100 mile rides in hot weather, I found that I hit a point where I couldn’t physically continue to take in the large amounts of liquid necessary to continue to provide the water borne energy and electrolyte products. The volume needed to provide energy and electrolyte sources went far beyond my hydration needs. For me, I found that drinking water for hydration, Hammer’s Enduralyte Capsules for electrolytes and solid foods for energy sources worked much better. On very long rides, I try to mix both low and high glycemic carbs, i.e. simple and complex carbs and often will throw in some nuts for fats to get a combination of an “instant” energy boost and sustained energy sources. The water/powder based products are convenient but I’ll take a half a natural organic peanut butter and all fruit fruit preserve sandwich on Ezekial Cinimon Rasin Bread any day :).
I have a problem with foot and calf cramps. I’ve been playing around with potassium & magnesium supplements and the calf cramps seem to have gone away but the foot cramps keep coming. After my race yesterday my feet were killing me, and it was only 10K. My last blood test showed normal levels for both potassium & magnesium and my endo said I was probably just dehydrated, but I feel like I drink enough water. Any thoughts?
Hydration can be tricky. There are all sorts of “new” theories floating around on how to determine if you are hydrating enough but whether they are better measures than any other is anyone’s guess. On a 10K, my guess is that the duration is too short to have any meaning impact on the ability to rehydrate during the event but I will leave it to the runners to comment on how they hydrate during runs of that duration. If there are water stations during the event, I would at least grab a cup at each one. I would focus on pre-event and post event hydration and hydration during the normal day. To be a bit old school, drink at least 8 cups of water a day. Drink a 24 oz water bottle an hour before the event. After the event, drink a 24 oz water bottle and eat some carbs and protein within 30 minutes from the conclusion and not more than an hour later. This timing will help maximize uptake and replenishment of the glycogen, proteins and minerals you need to restore and rebuild.
So great to stop by here after a few days away and see all the activity! I mean, ACTIVITY! I picture you all around the country running, walking, biking, doing yoga and pilates and having a dinner plate full of colorful, mostly healthy things!
Congrats Deb! Good for you for finishing that race - and sorry for the after effects! That would be hell for me to struggle through that last half of the race - that alone is a victory! I don’t put too much emphasis on times - I mean, so much can vary - wind, temperature, your starting pace, etc. - between races that 30 seconds to me sounds like a wash- that’s only like 5 seconds different per mile!
Sabaray, had to laugh at your comment about your instructor taking vacation - who does she think she IS?!!! 
First trip to the cottage this year and though there was a lot of work to be done, it was AMAZING to be at the beach again. The first time I sat down and looked out at the beach and water (and I did VERY LITTLE sitting this trip!) I thought, “THIS is what I wait all winter for!” Got the outside cleaned up and in tip top shape, planted flowers, turned over and planted the small vegetable garden, raked leaves, etc. out around the cottage, etc. A big winter storm must have created havoc on the beach - what we have left of beach! Even spend time raking sand down from our steps to cover some of the rocks so we have a bigger “lounging area”. Had a nice run, walked the beach just about every spare moment. All that activity makes for great sleeping!
Abasket, sounds like a wonderful weekend! Glad you could enjoy it!
I just spent about 5 days eating like cr%%p. The houseguests (at least the 2 females) are really being careful with what they eat, but we went out a lot, had drinks etc. and the guys are big eaters. Of course, I matched the guys. They wanted to hit the local famous spots, like Loveless Café for breakfast, which provides mounds of hot biscuits, bacon, ham, eggs, grits etc. I need to get back on track. I’m just up a couple of pounds, which isn’t bad for all the travel and company I’ve had. Ugh.
3.1 miles this morning. We are going to have rain off and on all week but this morning was nice, although humid.
I’m putting in a request for anyone here to post any tips, recipes, encouragement etc. for healthy eating - I mean, yeah, I know what to do but I can be even more encouraged when I see good eats that are good for you. My trip to France is slightly less than one month away and I’d love to start it on the low side of the scale to give myself a little wiggle room while there and before my planned walks/runs to find baguettes/croissants/cafe au lait…
Here’s a new discovery for me this weekend. I do love yogurt but don’t need it in large amounts. Normally I just buy Stonyfield whole milk plain and do my own add ins. I tried Noosa Honey Yoghurt this weekend - the honey flavor was delicious! This morning at home I took my plain Stonyfield, added a drizzle of honey and a fresh peach and a sprinkling of my homemade granola. It was FANTASTIC!
I ate quite a bit this weekend as well, but it was all good stuff with the exception of a few alcoholic refreshments and some gelato - oh, and half a carrot cake muffin. I have been eating more carbs than before but mostly stuff like brown rice, quinoa, barley, farro. I really want to adhere to the anti-inflammatory diet before my next doctor’s visit - see if it has an appreciable impact.
I ran this morning - 3.6, slow pace again but I felt good. I’ve enjoyed running a little later - hard to get moving for a 5 am run.
MNK, thanks for that. I haven’t paid much attention to post workout nutrition. I usually don’t eat for several hours afterwards, since I don’t feel hungry. Maybe that is my problem.